New Studio Tools + Techniques!

Ive been determined to integrate my nature illustration into my jewelry, since the beginning…

Like most artists, for years now, I’ve been determined to translate my illustration work to my metal-work. Maybe I need to not be so Taurus-y and think a little more abstractly? Many of you have witnessed my trial and error with techniques. (Thanks for hangin’ in!) Of course I could have a 3rd party do this in any material my little heart desires…but that seams less personal, and an element of “handmade” is lost.

Let’s just fast-forward to the ‘ah-ha’ moment that was last month…when I signed up for a “chemical etching” class. Yes, chemical. Liquid? Huh? Specifically, “electro-etching”.

Little did I know this adorable campus, of mix-media education, was tucked away in western Mass.! It’s called Snowfarm, The New England Craft Program, and they un-stuck my brain. Well, technically Lauren, my instructor did. Going in, I was mildly familiar with the concept of “chemical etching”, and figured maybe this will be some more inspiration…

To my surprise, I think it’s the golden ticket!
The ah-ha moment!

Let me explain how this works…The “electro” is short for “electrolyte” (the acid-like solution, not like Gatorade) and “etching”, the process of cutting away at a metal surface, relieving a design. An electrical current is used to “charge” the solution with a couple volts of electricity. You prepare the surface by blocking off the areas you want kept safe from little chemical particles munching away at the metal. These areas will be left raised.

There are a few different solutions (acids) one can use in the process. All of which relatively safe, cost effective, accessible and environmentally sensitive. Win! You simply suspend your piece to be etched (the “anode”) in the solution, along with another piece called the “cathode” (scrap copper), placed only a few inches away, also suspended. You then hook two small alligator clips to either piece, which is connected to a battery source for the energy current - one with a positive charge and the other a negative charge so that the cathode (scrap) draws the etched particles to it, away from the anode, like a magnet…Think jumper cables on a tiny scale!

Along with trying the different solutions (some better than others for different metals), she showed us varying methods of “masking off” the design to be etched in the metal. Again, relatively cost effective and safe. The two processes I like most are similar to applying a temporary tattoo, or drawing with an oil-based paint pen! In the piece below, I used the paint pen technique, being it is such an organic pattern.

A few of us were so excited and confident, we were ordering supplies before the course was even over!

Upon arriving home, supplies were already in our mailbox. Ha! One could say part of my studio looks a little like a scene from Breaking Bad? A little more re-arranging is in order. But, I’ve been able to practice a bit, play with finishing techniques and patinas, resulting in 2 successful custom pieces! I’m very excited to dig-into this more for a mini summer release!

Originally shared via e-mail in 7/2023